Retired CHP officer killed in Highway 41 motorcycle crash
September 18, 2016
A Paso Robles resident and retired CHP officer was killed Saturday morning while riding a motorcycle on Highway 41 near the Kern County line. A pickup truck swerved into the retired officer’s lane and struck his bike head-on, killing him instantly.
CHP officials have identified the victim as George Lester, 63. Lester retired from the CHP Coastal Division 11 years ago. He was a commercial officer assigned to the San Luis Obispo office at the time of his retirement.
Around 9:50 a.m., Lester was riding his 2014 Honda Goldwing northbound on Highway 41. Merced man Fidencio Vidriales, 64, was driving a 2015 Toyota Tacoma southbound on the highway.
Both men were traveling at about 65 mph prior to the crash. Investigators have yet to determine why Vidriales drove his pickup into Lester’s lane.
Vidriales sustained minor injuries during the crash, yet he was transported via a CHP helicopter to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. Officers did not arrest Vidriales.
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